Points of Order — Ministerial Statement—Weather Conditions

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I wonder whether I could ask, in terms of Standing Order 348, whether the Leader of the House, the Minister of Civil Defence, or any spokesperson from the Government will be making a ministerial statement today on what appears to be a rapidly deteriorating weather situation in the South Island, with threats of evacuation for certain parts of that area.

I will discuss that further. I suspect the Minister is himself engaged on those matters at the present time.

Privilege—Freedom of Speech